Specialist Inflammation of the Thyroids and persistent Bacterial Infection - What can we do to make treatment better?

[Alamerona]

Hi TGPF, unfortunately we've had to take Joey back to the vets again due to being lethargic, hiding all day and not eating as much as he was previously. He didn't suffer any noticeable weight loss, but we were concerned that his weight gain has been rather slow.

My partner went in and said that the vet looked at Joey, looked in his mouth and his teeth were all fine and clean; she felt around and said that his Thyroids felt very inflamed, and that she was worried that he may be in slight pain due to it, but was showing no signs.

She also said that the discharge in his eyes (Which he has constantly had regenerate since he was a pup) should not still be there; she's theorized that whatever is in his system still hasn't left him, since we started courses of treatment 8 months ago - Possibly due to a non-reaction to Baytril (Which all our prior vets prescribed).

He's been prescribed Metacam .3ml twice daily, Karidox 0.05ml twice daily, and Isathal eye drops twice daily all for two weeks when he'll have a follow-up appointment to see how things are going.

We just want to ask what could cause these Thyroid problems, and for any advice to make Joey feel more comfortable with not only the treatment, but also his recovery - Last thing we want is for the poor boy to be upset!

Note that he is eating hay, pellets and vegetables all regularly and without any issue (He is eating normally, so not having any issues or struggling to eat, or to retain food) same with drinking water, and is putting on weight, albeit slowly (Perhaps around 5g a week).

One thing too is that my partner did say that Joey does feel a bit skinnier than perhaps he should be, and the vet agreed that he seemed underweight for his age, but not from any sort of mistreatment or neglect - Although we have been providing Oxbox Critical Care, the vet did recommend to give him 15ml twice a day around the same time as the medication.

 

[Alamerona]

@Wiebke maybe you could offer some advice?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Do you mean the vet could feel a goitre in the neck, which could suggest hyperthyroidism? It doesn't sound like hyperthyroidism though. So, the only symptoms are lethargy and eye discharge? Is that correct? Does Joey have a little friend? Guinea pigs who live alone are generally less active x

 

[Alamerona]

Do you mean the vet could feel a goitre in the neck, which could suggest hyperthyroidism? It doesn't sound like hyperthyroidism though. So, the only symptoms are lethargy and eye discharge? Is that correct? Does Joey have a little friend? Guinea pigs who live alone are generally less active x

Hi Furryfriends, first off thanks for responding! My partner said that the vet commented that his Thyroids felt very inflamed, but she is worried that he is slightly underweight for his age - Quick note, he does have a cagemate, Bluebear; they're both boars, and around the same age, however Bluebear is currently at around 1100g, whereas Joey is around 930g - The vet and my partner agreed that he seems a bit on the underweight side, but the vet did theorise it could have been caused due to pre-existing persistent bacterial infections caused by URI's he had as a pup, hence why he's on new antibiotics as opposed to trying Baytril again. The vet didn't make a comment about a Goitre, so we're assuming no, he doesn't have a Goitre (We can't feel anything abnormal ourselves, but we're hardly trained). Just another quick note, however, Joey does seem to have improved in his behaviour - Still a bit lethargic, but he seems a lot more outgoing, positive, and willing to play and popcorn - He's also a lot more vocal now too, demanding food and grumbling when we wake him up... The stereotypical teenager hahaha...

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Furryfriends, first off thanks for responding! My partner said that the vet commented that his Thyroids felt very inflamed, but she is worried that he is slightly underweight for his age - Quick note, he does have a cagemate, Bluebear; they're both boars, and around the same age, however Bluebear is currently at around 1100g, whereas Joey is around 930g - The vet and my partner agreed that he seems a bit on the underweight side, but the vet did theorise it could have been caused due to pre-existing persistent bacterial infections caused by URI's he had as a pup, hence why he's on new antibiotics as opposed to trying Baytril again. The vet didn't make a comment about a Goitre, so we're assuming no, he doesn't have a Goitre (We can't feel anything abnormal ourselves, but we're hardly trained). Just another quick note, however, Joey does seem to have improved in his behaviour - Still a bit lethargic, but he seems a lot more outgoing, positive, and willing to play and popcorn - He's also a lot more vocal now too, demanding food and grumbling when we wake him up... The stereotypical teenager hahaha...

Hi!

I agree with @furryfriends (TEAS) that these are not classical symptoms for hyperthyroid.

You cannot use weight as such for determining over- or underweight only for monitoring weight loss or gain. The range of perfectly acceptable adult weights runs in my own experience from about 700g-1500g, depending on overall size and age. The often cited 'average' weight of 1 kg that is cited in vet literature doesn't even cover half of all piggies. I have several perfectly healthy adult boars that weigh less than Joey and some quite a bit more than him.

You feel around the ribcage to assess whether a piggy is a good weight for their size (heft or cavy BMI). I a perfect piggy you should be able to just feel the ribs; if a piggy is underweight, then each rib can be felt and may be even stand out. This check establishes the general ball park of weight in which your piggy plays in. Regular weighing will help you then monitor the weight as to whether there is a steady slow weight loss or a fast one. Since the weight swing over 24 hours is about 30-40g, we talk about weight loss only from 50g onwards.
More information on all aspects of weight in this guide here: Weight - Monitoring and Management

I can't unfortunately not comment on what could be causing the lethargy and whether something else is wrong with the thyroid gland as I don't have any experience in this area. We sadly come to our limits with guinea pigs and with treatment of more uncommon issues all the time the more the horizon is expanding. Please continue with additional feeding support if Joey is losing weight.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

A goitre is a swelling of the thyroid gland. How else did the vet know the thyroid was inflamed, if there wasn’t a goitre. Sorry, but I’m really not sure what the vet was referring to x

 

[Alamerona]

Hi!

I agree with @furryfriends (TEAS) that these are not classical symptoms for hyperthyroid.

You cannot use weight as such for determining over- or underweight only for monitoring weight loss or gain. The range of perfectly acceptable adult weights runs in my own experience from about 700g-1500g, depending on overall size and age. The often cited 'average' weight of 1 kg that is cited in vet literature doesn't even cover half of all piggies. I have several perfectly healthy adult boars that weigh less than Joey and some quite a bit more than him.

You feel around the ribcage to assess whether a piggy is a good weight for their size (heft or cavy BMI). I a perfect piggy you should be able to just feel the ribs; if a piggy is underweight, then each rib can be felt and may be even stand out. This check establishes the general ball park of weight in which your piggy plays in. Regular weighing will help you then monitor the weight as to whether there is a steady slow weight loss or a fast one. Since the weight swing over 24 hours is about 30-40g, we talk about weight loss only from 50g onwards.
More information on all aspects of weight in this guide here: Weight - Monitoring and Management

I can't unfortunately not comment on what could be causing the lethargy and whether something else is wrong with the thyroid gland as I don't have any experience in this area. We sadly come to our limits with guinea pigs and with treatment of more uncommon issues all the time the more the horizon is expanding. Please continue with additional feeding support if Joey is losing weight.

Ok, thank you for the in-depth explanation Wiebke! In terms of the rib-check, we can feel his ribs, but can't put a number on how many - I'd say around half his ribs are identifiable?

We do give them unlimited hay twice daily, plus veggies, and they're both eating very well, which is good. At this point we're theorising he was just the runt of the litter, hence the smaller stature and weight.

 

[Alamerona]

A goitre is a swelling of the thyroid gland. How else did the vet know the thyroid was inflamed, if there wasn’t a goitre. Sorry, but I’m really not sure what the vet was referring to x

Ahh ok, the reason I was confused was because the vet didn't refer to that term. All they said was his Thyroids were inflamed, hence why we were given anti-inflammatory medicines and the antibiotics to eliminate any long-standing infection from any of his previous two URI's. He's been a sick boy since we got him, but we love the little too much to simply give up! We're doing the best we can to make sure his recovery is swift, and above all, comfortable x